Hitler's Rise: Austrian Election Tactics And Strategy

On March 13, 1938, Hitler was elected in Austria following the Anschluss, or political union of Austria with Germany. The union was viewed favourably by the majority of the Austrian population. A plebiscite held after the fact in April was manipulated to show that 99% of the population approved; Jews, Roma, and other groups were not allowed to vote.

Hitler's forces suppressed all opposition

During the few weeks between the Anschluss and the plebiscite, authorities rounded up Social Democrats, Communists, other potential political dissenters, and Austrian Jews, and imprisoned them or sent them to concentration camps. Within a few days of 12 March, 70,000 people had been arrested. The disused northwest railway station in Vienna was converted into a makeshift concentration camp.

The Anschluss, or political union of Austria with Germany, was achieved through annexation by Hitler in 1938. Austria was incorporated into the Third Reich, and the union was viewed favourably by the majority of the population. A ballot, dated 13 March 1938, is marked 'yes' to elect Hitler and unify the two countries.

A plebiscite held after the fact in April was manipulated to show that 99% of the population approved; Jews, Roma, and other groups were not allowed to vote.

The union was viewed favourably by the majority of the population

The union of Austria and Germany was viewed favourably by the majority of the Austrian population. The Anschluss, or political union, was achieved through annexation by Adolf Hitler in 1938. A plebiscite held in April 1938 was manipulated to show that 99% of the population approved of the union; however, Jews, Roma and other groups were not allowed to vote.

Hitler's forces suppressed all opposition. Before the first German soldier crossed the border, Heinrich Himmler and a few Schutzstaffel (SS) officers landed in Vienna to arrest prominent representatives of the First Republic, such as Richard Schmitz, Leopold Figl, Friedrich Hillegeist, and Franz Olah. During the few weeks between the Anschluss and the plebiscite, authorities rounded up Social Democrats, Communists, other potential political dissenters, and Austrian Jews, and imprisoned them or sent them to concentration camps. Within a few days of 12 March, 70,000 people had been arrested. The disused northwest railway station in Vienna was converted into a makeshift concentration camp.

A plebiscite was manipulated to show 99% of the population approved

On March 12, 1938, Austria was incorporated into the Third Reich, a political union with Germany also known as the Anschluss. The union was viewed favourably by the majority of the Austrian population. A ballot distributed throughout Austria on March 13, 1938, was marked 'yes' to elect Hitler and unify the two countries.

A plebiscite held after the fact in April was manipulated to show that 99% of the population approved. Jews, Roma, and other groups were not allowed to vote. In the weeks between the Anschluss and the plebiscite, authorities rounded up Social Democrats, Communists, other potential political dissenters, and Austrian Jews, imprisoning them or sending them to concentration camps. Within a few days of March 12, 70,000 people had been arrested. The disused northwest railway station in Vienna was converted into a makeshift concentration camp.

Jews, Roma and other groups were not allowed to vote

On 12 March 1938, Austria was incorporated into the Third Reich. A ballot was distributed throughout Austria, asking the population to vote 'yes' to elect Hitler and unify the two countries. A plebiscite held after the fact in April was manipulated to show that 99% of the population approved. However, Jews, Roma and other groups were not allowed to vote.

During the few weeks between the Anschluss and the plebiscite, authorities rounded up Social Democrats, Communists, other potential political dissenters, and Austrian Jews, and imprisoned them or sent them to concentration camps. Within a few days of 12 March, 70,000 people had been arrested. The disused northwest railway station in Vienna was converted into a makeshift concentration camp.

Social Democrats, Communists, other potential political dissenters and Austrian Jews were rounded up and imprisoned or sent to concentration camps

Hitler was elected in Austria following the Anschluss of Austria by Nazi Germany on 12 March 1938. Austria was incorporated into the Third Reich and the union was viewed favourably by the majority of the population. A ballot, dated 13 March 1938, is marked 'yes' to elect Hitler and unify the two countries.

Before the first German soldier crossed the border, Heinrich Himmler and a few Schutzstaffel (SS) officers landed in Vienna to arrest prominent representatives of the First Republic, such as Richard Schmitz, Leopold Figl, Friedrich Hillegeist, and Franz Olah. During the few weeks between the Anschluss and the plebiscite, authorities rounded up Social Democrats, Communists, other potential political dissenters, and Austrian Jews, and imprisoned them or sent them to concentration camps. Within a few days of 12 March, 70,000 people had been arrested. The disused northwest railway station in Vienna was converted into a makeshift concentration camp.

A plebiscite held after the fact in April was manipulated to show that 99% of the population approved; Jews, Roma, and other groups were not allowed to vote.

Frequently asked questions